Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the national defense and security champion wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced it will return as a strategic partner of the third Saudi International Maritime Forum, held under the patronage of Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The forum, organized by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, takes place in Dhahran from November 19 to 21 under the theme “Maritime Security in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” and will convene more than 55 national and international entities from over 22 countries. SAMI’s participation, announced via an official press release carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), reaffirms the company’s commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s defense industries and supporting the localization of defense spending.
Why does a single defense exhibition in Dhahran matter to navies, shipbuilders, and technology firms far beyond the Gulf? Because the forum has become a barometer of how quickly Saudi Arabia is converting oil wealth into indigenous industrial capability. SAMI arrives with a portfolio that spans naval combat systems, unmanned surface vessels, maintenance and overhaul services, cybersecurity operations, and vessel traffic management — a breadth that signals the Kingdom is no longer simply a buyer of foreign platforms but a builder, integrator, and sustainer of its own maritime security architecture.
Context and Background
How did Saudi Arabia move from importing nearly all of its defense needs to hosting a forum where its own companies unveil combat systems? The answer lies in a deliberate, decade-long national strategy. In 2017, the Kingdom established the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) to regulate, enable, and grow a domestic defense sector, with a target of localizing 50 percent of military spending by 2030. SAMI was created the same year as the industrial vehicle for that ambition, and today it operates across land, air, sea, space, and cybersecurity domains.
The Saudi International Maritime Forum itself reflects this trajectory. The first edition focused on establishing a regional dialogue among navies and industry; the second expanded into technology demonstrations; the third, under the theme “Maritime Security in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” places AI, autonomy, and data-driven decision-making at the center of naval operations. The Royal Saudi Naval Forces organize the event, while GAMI and other state bodies provide the policy framework. The result is a platform where procurement requirements, industrial partnerships, and research agendas converge in one venue.
SAMI’s return as strategic partner is therefore not a routine sponsorship. It is a statement that the national champion intends to shape the agenda — presenting products that were designed, integrated, and tested in the Kingdom, often in direct collaboration with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. For international delegations from more than 22 countries, the forum offers a rare window into Saudi requirements and Saudi capabilities at the same time.
Key Details: HAZEM, Unmanned Systems, and the Alsarawat Program
What exactly will SAMI put on display in Dhahran? The centerpiece is the HAZEM Combat Management System (CMS), described in the official release as the first Saudi-made naval combat system, designed with advanced technology to engage air, surface, and subsurface targets. A CMS is the brain of a warship: it fuses sensor data, tracks threats, and directs weapons. Fielding an indigenous CMS is a milestone because it sits at the intersection of software engineering, systems integration, and naval doctrine.
SAMI’s advanced capabilities are already demonstrated at sea. Under the Alsarawat project, the company equipped five Avante 2200 corvette combat ships with the HAZEM system. These vessels, built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, now operate with a Saudi-developed combat core — evidence that localization is not a future promise but a present reality. The company will also showcase its Unmanned Maritime Systems, including Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) that allow remote operation through a ground control unit, developed in collaboration with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
Beyond platforms, SAMI will highlight maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for combat systems, aimed at improving availability and performance across a ship’s lifecycle. It will present a cybersecurity operations center dedicated to monitoring, detecting, and isolating threats across networks, servers, and security systems. And through SAMI Advanced Electronics Company (SAMI-AEC), it will exhibit the Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS), already deployed in numerous Saudi ports, which uses decision-support tools to deliver situational awareness that the release says surpasses traditional coastal systems.
International and Regional Impact
Why should navies and defense ministries from outside the region pay attention to what Saudi Arabia unveils in Dhahran? Because the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Bab el-Mandeb are global chokepoints. Maritime security in these waters affects energy shipments, container traffic between Asia and Europe, and the safety of millions of sailors. When a regional power develops indigenous systems to monitor and protect those routes, it contributes to a public good that extends well beyond its own coastline.
The presence of more than 55 national and international entities from over 22 countries — including global leaders from the maritime, military, and technology sectors, high-ranking officials, and regulatory bodies — signals that partners view Saudi Arabia as a serious interlocutor. For European and Asian shipbuilders, the forum is a venue for joint ventures and technology transfer. For AI and software firms, it is a market where autonomous systems and analytics are being adopted at naval scale. For neighboring states, it is an opportunity to align patrol schedules, information sharing, and training.
SAMI’s partnerships with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces also create a template for co-development: requirements are defined by the operator, prototypes are built by the national industry, and feedback loops shorten the distance between concept and deployment. That model is attractive to countries seeking to reduce dependence on a narrow set of suppliers while retaining interoperability with allied forces.
Economic and Strategic Significance
How much does defense localization actually matter to Saudi Arabia’s economy? More than a budget line. Every system produced domestically keeps spending inside the Kingdom, creates high-skilled jobs for engineers and technicians, and builds supply chains that can later serve civilian sectors such as ports, logistics, and smart manufacturing. SAMI’s work on VTMIS, for example, has direct civilian applications in port management, while its cybersecurity center addresses threats that affect banks, utilities, and hospitals as much as naval bases.
The strategic dimension is equally important. A combat management system like HAZEM gives the Kingdom sovereign control over the software that decides how its ships fight. Unmanned surface vehicles reduce risk to sailors and expand the reach of patrol operations at lower cost. MRO services keep fleets available for longer, which matters when deterrence depends on persistent presence. Together, these capabilities support the Vision 2030 goal of localizing 50 percent of defense spending and position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for defense technology.
The forum also functions as an economic signal. International companies that attend are not merely selling; they are assessing where to invest, where to establish regional offices, and where to co-develop products. For the Kingdom, that interest translates into foreign direct investment, technology transfer, and export opportunities for Saudi-made systems in friendly markets.
Vision 2030 Alignment
How does a naval forum connect to a national transformation plan? Vision 2030 is built on diversifying the economy, empowering national talent, and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s global role. Defense industrialization touches all three. It creates a non-oil manufacturing base, trains a new generation of scientists and engineers, and gives the Kingdom a credible voice in global security discussions. SAMI’s slogan for the forum, “Protecting Our Borders,” captures the link between national security and national development.
As Saudi Arabia’s leading national defense partner, SAMI states that it remains steadfast in supporting Vision 2030’s localization target. Through its ongoing partnership with the Saudi International Maritime Forum, the company highlights the growth and transformation of the Kingdom’s defense sector, propels innovation, empowers national talent, and strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position on the global stage. For international readers, the message from Dhahran is clear: the Kingdom is building the capacity to protect its interests and contribute to maritime stability — and it is inviting the world to be part of that journey.
20 Questions
Q1. What is SAMI and what is its role in Saudi Arabia?
A1. SAMI is Saudi Arabian Military Industries, the national defense and security company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund. It develops and integrates military products, supports localization of defense spending, and serves as the Kingdom’s leading national defense partner across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains.
Q2. What is the third Saudi International Maritime Forum?
A2. It is a maritime security event organized by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and held in Dhahran from November 19 to 21. It gathers more than 55 national and international entities from over 22 countries to discuss maritime security in the age of artificial intelligence.
Q3. Under whose patronage is the forum held?
A3. The forum is held under the patronage of Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. His patronage underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing its defense industries and strengthening maritime security capabilities.
Q4. What is SAMI’s role at the forum?
A4. SAMI participates as a strategic partner, presenting innovative defense products and services. It reaffirms its commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s defense industries and supporting the localization of the Kingdom’s defense spending in line with national objectives.
Q5. What is the theme of this year’s forum?
A5. The theme is “Maritime Security in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” It reflects the growing role of AI, autonomy, and data-driven systems in naval operations and maritime domain awareness.
Q6. What is the HAZEM Combat Management System?
A6. HAZEM is the first Saudi-made naval combat management system, designed with advanced technology to engage air, surface, and subsurface targets. It fuses sensor data and directs weapons, bolstering maritime security and protecting the Kingdom’s strategic interests.
Q7. How has HAZEM been deployed so far?
A7. SAMI equipped five Avante 2200 corvette combat ships under the Alsarawat project with the HAZEM system. This demonstrates that Saudi localization efforts have moved from concept to operational reality.
Q8. What are Unmanned Surface Vehicles?
A8. USVs are remotely operated maritime platforms controlled through a ground control unit. SAMI developed them in collaboration with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces to enhance patrol, surveillance, and maritime security missions while reducing risk to personnel.
Q9. What MRO services does SAMI provide?
A9. SAMI offers maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for combat systems. These services improve system availability and performance over a ship’s lifecycle, helping fleets remain ready for extended periods of operation.
Q10. What cybersecurity capabilities will SAMI showcase?
A10. SAMI will present a cybersecurity operations center that monitors, detects, and isolates threats across networks, servers, security systems, and IT data. It also offers a range of innovative cybersecurity products and solutions for facilities.
Q11. What is VTMIS and where is it used?
A11. The Vessel Traffic Management Information System is developed by SAMI Advanced Electronics Company. It is deployed in numerous Saudi ports and uses decision-support tools to coordinate maritime traffic and deliver situational awareness that surpasses traditional coastal systems.
Q12. How does the forum benefit international participants?
A12. International participants gain insight into Saudi requirements, capabilities, and partnership opportunities. The forum enables joint ventures, technology transfer, and alignment on maritime security challenges in a strategically vital region.
Q13. Why is maritime security important to global trade?
A13. The Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Strait of Hormuz, and Bab el-Mandeb are global chokepoints. Security there affects energy shipments, container traffic between Asia and Europe, and the safety of international shipping lanes.
Q14. What is GAMI’s role in defense localization?
A14. The General Authority for Military Industries regulates and enables the domestic defense sector. It works toward localizing 50 percent of military spending by 2030, providing the policy framework that supports SAMI’s industrial activities.
Q15. How does SAMI’s work support Vision 2030?
A15. SAMI supports Vision 2030 by localizing defense spending, creating high-skilled jobs, building non-oil manufacturing capacity, empowering national talent, and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position on the global stage.
Q16. What economic benefits come from defense localization?
A16. Localization keeps spending inside the Kingdom, develops supply chains, creates engineering and technical jobs, and fosters technologies with civilian applications such as port management, logistics, and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure.
Q17. How many countries and entities attend the forum?
A17. More than 55 national and international entities from over 22 countries attend, bringing together global leaders from the maritime, military, and technology sectors, along with high-ranking officials and regulatory bodies.
Q18. What does the slogan “Protecting Our Borders” signify?
A18. The slogan reflects SAMI’s commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s maritime and territorial integrity through indigenous technology, while contributing to regional stability and the protection of vital economic waterways.
Q19. How does the forum promote innovation and national talent?
A19. By showcasing Saudi-made systems like HAZEM and VTMIS, the forum highlights the skills of Saudi engineers and technicians. It encourages research, collaboration, and career paths in defense technology for the Kingdom’s youth.
Q20. What is the outlook for Saudi Arabia’s maritime defense sector?
A20. The outlook is positive. With sustained investment, GAMI’s regulatory support, and SAMI’s growing portfolio, the Kingdom is positioned to expand indigenous production, deepen international partnerships, and contribute to maritime security in the region and beyond.
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